What $80K actually gets you for a 4-room BTO reno 💸✨
We officially shifted into our 4-room BTO, and the questions about our renovation budget have been flying in! Yes, our final total renovation bill came up to exactly $80,564 (excluding furniture and appliances)!
Was it worth it? 100%. If you're currently collecting keys or planning your budget, here is the honest, no-gatekeeping cost breakdown from our ID contract, VOs, electrical, and lighting! 👇🏼
💰 Initial Contract Signed: $63,000
This covered all our main works: full height kitchen cabinets, full height carpentry to hide the bomb shelter entrance, living room carpentry, built-in wardrobes for 2 bedrooms, hacking of the service yard, full bathroom overlays, sintered stone countertops and backsplash for the kitchen, plumbing, false ceilings, and a full house paint job.
💰 Electrical Works: $4,285
Sockets, data points, rewiring, and setting up all our lighting.
💰 Lighting Works: $5,308.55
For all our actual light fixtures, downlights, ambient LED strips and the soft membrane feature light in our dry pantry
💰 Additional VOs (Variation Orders): $8,279
Includes our PE (Professional Engineer) endorsement for hacking of the service yard, plus additional on-site tweaks and add-ons (e.g. upgrading our shower screens, upgrading to epoxy grouting for both bathrooms) that we decided on mid-way through the build.
✨ Total Final Reno Cost: 80,872.55
🛠️ Our Favorite Splurges (No Regrets!)
🔪Sintered Stone Everything: We spent about $6k just on the premium sintered stone kitchen worktops and full-height matching backings. It’s scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, and completely elevates the kitchen look.
💡Soft Membrane Feature Light in Dry Pantry: This was part of our $5k lighting splurge and it was worth every single cent. We installed a soft membrane light directly into the dry pantry ceiling. It gives off the most flawless, seamless, diffused glow—almost like natural skylight—and completely levels up the cafe aesthetic of the pantry area!
Note: we kept the vinyl that came with our unit, as our project is a default opt-in for OCS, which includes vinyl flooring, kitchen and bathroom tiles, and doors
Renovating a 4-room BTO flat can feel overwhelming, especially when budgeting for a complete overhaul. From personal experience, allocating a budget around $80,000 for renovation allows for a comprehensive transformation that balances functionality and style. One key takeaway from this renovation is the impact of quality materials like sintered stone for kitchen worktops and backsplashes. This material not only resists scratches and heat but also instantly upgrades the kitchen's aesthetic, making it well worth the $6,000 investment. If you’re considering durable and stylish surfaces, sintered stone is a top choice that offers long-term value. Lighting is often underestimated, but it can define the vibe of your home. Investing over $5,000 on lighting fixtures, including downlights and ambient LED strips, can create layers of illumination that enhance spaces differently. A favorite feature is the soft membrane light installed in the dry pantry area, which mimics natural daylight and elevates the pantry to a cozy, café-style nook. This subtle detail transforms an otherwise overlooked space into a highlight. Another important budget consideration is the flexibility for mid-project changes, reflected as Variation Orders (VOs). These covered structural engineering endorsements and upgrades like epoxy grouting for bathrooms and enhanced shower screens. Keeping a reserve of around 10% of your budget for such tweaks helps accommodate unexpected improvements without compromising the overall plan. The renovation also involved clever carpentry solutions such as full-height cupboards hiding the bomb shelter entrance, built-in wardrobes, and customized kitchen and living room fixtures. These details not only maximize storage but also contribute to a clean, cohesive look throughout the home. For those planning a similar reno, it’s important to note that default provisions like vinyl flooring and basic tiles included in certain renovation packages can allow you to focus your budget on personalized upgrades. Overall, an $80K comprehensive renovation for a 4-room BTO flat can be an excellent investment if allocated thoughtfully to premium materials, effective lighting, and smart carpentry. It’s about balancing essentials with those splurges that add lasting value and joy to your living space.
